Martin Millner Coldwell Banker Hearthside

Saturday, August 8, 2015

August is Family Fun
Month and Bucks County has tons of activities that guarantee a great time for
the whole family, year-round! Check out any of these attractions for hours of
nonstop fun and make some new memories with your loved ones.

Sesame
Place®, the nation's only
theme park based entirely on the beloved children's show Sesame

Street®, is
right here in Bucks County! Join the party and celebrate the amusement park's
35th birthday all-season-long with exhilarating rides, cool water slides and
all-new toe-tapping shows starring everyone's favorite furry friends. The fun
never stops at Sesame where everyone can be a kid again!

Mini golf is the
perfect family-friendly activity and the course at Golf
Adventure is one of the
area's best! With 18 holes, four ponds and two streams as well as a 15-foot
waterfall, the scenic course is the

ideal setting for a family outing. After
you make your way through the 18 holes, snack on soft-serve ice cream,
milkshakes, soft drinks, pizza, hot dogs and more at the course-side food
court.

Peddler's
Village is home to Giggleberry Fair,
a spectacular indoor play center that's fun for kids and
adults alike! Its centerpiece is Giggleberry Mountain, the area's largest
indoor obstacle course at three-stories tall. Make sure to check out the game
room, equipped with more than 40 of the newest games on the market and then
take a ride on the vintage 1922 Grand Carousel. If you've worked up an
appetite, The Painted Pony awaits with delicious fresh pizza, burgers, hot
dogs, chicken tenders and many more kid-friendly foods and snacks.

When it's hot, there's
no better way to spend time outdoors with your family than at Bucks
County River Country.
Located in the beautiful village of Point Pleasant, they offer kayaks, canoes,
river rafts and the popular river tube available to take for two- to four-hour
trips along the scenic Delaware River. Come see the "World's River Tubing
Capital" for an adventure the whole family will love!

Grab your family and a
hammer and head to Ringing
Rocks Park, an eight-acre
boulder field and

geologic wonder. When struck with a hammer, the rocks give
off a loud, high-pitched ringing noise so you can make your own music all day
long. After you and your family take turns taking your swings, hit the trail to
explore the rest of the park, home to Bucks County's tallest waterfall.

All aboard the
historic New
Hope & Ivyland Railroad! Travel into a scene from the past as this 1925 steam
locomotive pulls passengers from New Hope to Lahaska on a 45-minute ride
through the beautiful Bucks County countryside. Journey back in time, learning
what rail travel was like for your ancestors as you make new memories of your
own!

Family fun is always
in season at Shady
Brook Farm! One of the last
working farms in historic Bucks County, Shady Brook offers tons of exciting
festivals year-round as well as "Pick-Your-Own" Days where guests can
head out into the fields to pick fresh fruits and vegetables. While you're
there, make sure to get a scoop from Uncle
Dave's Homemade Ice Cream. Since setting up shop at the farm in 2007, Uncle Dave's has
been serving up super premium, hand-dipped ice cream to hungry customers of all
ages!

Monday, July 27, 2015

Whether you are buying or selling a home,the appraisal matters. Even when the buyer and seller have agreed on a price, the deal could fall apart if the appraisal comes in low.

In a sellers’ market when there are plenty of qualified buyers, multiple offer situations can drive up the purchase price higher than the sale price of the comparable properties.
In a buyers’ market, there are more properties on the market and there are fewer buyers purchasing, so values will be soft or falling.

Either way, the appraisal can be cause for concern.

There are several other reasons that an appraisal can come in low.There could be an abundance of foreclosure or short sales that would drive values down. The appraiser could be from outside the area and not have local market knowledge, or they could be inexperienced.Or the seller could have overpriced the property in the first place.

So your appraisal came in low, well here is what you can do. First, don’t panic because there are options so that the deal will not fall through. The buyer can make up the difference in cash by adding to the down payment to reach the agreed upon purchase price. If you are the seller, you could have a pre-sale appraisal completed when you list the property for sale.

The seller could lower the sales price to meet the appraised value. The buyer or the seller could order and pay for a second appraisal. You could ask the listing agent or buyers agent to provide a list of comparable properties that do support the value, and ask the underwriter to re-evaluate the appraisal. There is always the chance that they will consider new or overlooked information.

The deal doesn’t have to fall apart, but some do. If you remember that most problems are correctable
and address the problems one at a time, you should be able to work through them and get the deal to closing. If you have any questions on appraisals, feel free to call me directly at 215-519-1399.

Friday, July 24, 2015

More than 100 handcrafted quilts on
display at the Bucks County Visitor Center in Bensalem (Bucks County, PA) The
Bucks County Quilt Show at the Bucks County Visitor Center in Bensalem is
celebrating its 11th anniversary this year with more quilts on display than
ever before. Presented by Visit Bucks County and The Quilt Academy of Bensalem,
this annual exhibit features over 100 quilts hanging from 25-foot-high beams
and displayed throughout the Visitor Center's Main Gallery. The Quilt Academy
of Bensalem, an organization which offers a variety of quilting classes, has
donated nearly 100 pieces for this show.

For more than 100 years, firefighting was
the responsibility of every neighborhood and citizen. The city’s fire
companies fervently believed that fighting fire was a community
responsibility, best performed by virtuous and heroic men. Paid fireman
finally replaced volunteers in 1871, signaling a change in beliefs about
public service.

The Mercer Museum’s engaging
exhibition will include more than 175 historical firefighting artifacts
including tools, colorful parade regalia, apparel, artwork, photographs, fire
engines and fire equipment, and other unique items from the Museum’s
permanent collection. The all-ages exhibit will also feature hands-on
activities for children.

2015 Sixth Annual New Hope Film Festival

Venues throughout New Hope

New Hope, PA

Don't miss
the 2015 Sixth Annual New Hope Film Festival that will take place from July
24th - August 2nd in New Hope, Pennsylvania. Get ready for an exciting
line-up of 80 films from 16 countries, with something for everyone. The 2015 Program
Guide includes the
schedule, venues, a description for each film and other important information
about the event. Tickets are available at www.newhopefilmfestival.com. See
you at the Festival!

Tower Tour For Families

Fonthill Museum

East Court Street
& Route 313

Doylestown,
PA

Start times: 10:30 am & 1145 am
Children and adults explore Henry Mercer’s castle from basement to tower and
learn about Mercer’s creative ideas through stories and prints.
Children must be 6 or older and able to climb the steep stairs.
Reservations required, call 215-348-9461 or email fhmail@fonthillmuseum.org.

Monday, July 20, 2015

You have just closed on your new home. You
have signed your name for what seems like hours.With deed and keys in hand, you’re off to
move in and get settled knowing that you are protected and safe in your new home.
You may think that everything is just fine, but what if the sellers long lost
Uncle John comes knocking on the door. He says he has a deed to the property or
an unrecorded will granting him ownership rights.

This is why you purchased title insurance.
There are many common title issues that could arise after the closing. These
are 4 of the most common issues and how your title insurance will protect you.

·Undiscovered encumbrances occur
when a third party holds a claim to part of all of your property.This could be an unrecorded lien because the
seller has not paid a contractor for work done, a deed restriction or covenant
that limits the type of shed you can build, or a license granted to a neighbor
to store his fishing boat.

·There could be an error in the
public records. While we think we are perfect, we are human and we make
mistakes. There could be a clerical or filing error that affects the deed.
There could be a mistake made in the survey, or an easement that is missed or
forgotten.

·You may own your home and the
land around it, but there could be an unknown easement that would restrict or
prohibit you from using the property any way you would like to. The utility
company or another property owner might have the ability to enter or use the property,
right where you would like to build that shed.

·The property may be new to you,
and if it is not brand new, then it could have had several owners. No everyone
is a diligent accountant or bill payer. A lien for the debts of a previous
seller could be placed on the property after you own it.The debt may not be yours, but it will be
your problem. This is a common problem with distressed properties.

Title issues can cause great financial
hardship, and limit the way you can use your new property. Title claims can be
very expensive and can even affect the value of your new home. With title
insurance you can rest assured that you would not have to deal with these
concerns on your own.

The good news is that in the large
stack of papers you received at closing, there is an Owner’s title policy,
which will cover any title issues that arise after closing. The title company
will help defend and pay claims on your title, so you wont have to go it
alone.If you have any questions about
title insurance, feel free to contact me directly at 215-519-1399.

Pool opens Weekends and
holidays only, May 24-June 22 Noon-7 p.m. June 23-Sept. 1- Open daily Noon-
8:00 p.m. Closed after Labor Day (hrs. of operation may change due to staff
availability). Water slide closes before pool and occasionally closes due to
classes or programs. Pool closes during swim meets.

Brookside Swim and Tennis Club

499 Stony Hill Road in Yardley/Lower
Makefield

215–493-2600

Brookside offers a unique swim lesson
program focused on pool safety and familiarizing our youth in an aquatic
environment. Each Class will reflect American Red Cross appropriate skill
level. In addition, new this year, we will be offering stroke and turn
proficiency for the level 6 swimmers who already participate on swim team but
want to develop maximum efficiency.

Come out for an afternoon of fun and laughter on the Delaware Canal! Try kayaking on the Canal with boats, paddles, PDFs and instruction provided by the Environmental Education Specialists from the Delaware Canal State Park. Decorate a duck and join the competition. Listen to music by the Bucks County Folk Song Society, visit with neighbors from local community groups, find something to eat and enjoy an art exhibit. Family fun on the water for all. Details on the ducks available at www.delawarecanalfestival.org or https://www.facebook.com/DelawareCanalFestival

Enjoy an Evening along the River. Join us along the river on the 43-acre country estate of William Penn and enjoy the tastings of regional craft beer. Wander the grounds and watch 17th Century beer brewing demonstrations, take a walk through the gardens, tour the Manor House, or simply relax along the banks of the Delaware River. Food will be available to purchase. Event will be held rain or shine. No one under 21 will be admitted. Must present valid ID at door. No children/infants, no firearms, no pets are allowed. General admission ticket includes beer and a souvenir tasting mug. A Designated Driver ticket holder will receive a bottle of water. Designated drivers do not receive a tasting mug and are not permitted to sample any beer. Designated drivers must be 21+ and present valid photo ID for entry. Tickets can be purchased online or in person. Ticket sales are limited to 400.

Forget the bad ties and boring gift cards. Treat your #1 Dad to a lunch, wine and fun at the vineyard. Includes a hearty lunch between the vines, choice of wine flight (white, red or sweet) and tour of the winery. Reservations necessary.

Fisher's
Tudor House

1858 Street Road

Bensalem, PA 19020

Phone:(215) 244-9777 • Fax: (215) 244-9737

A Fathers Day Dinner “Man Menu” is available Sunday June 21, 2015. This is Dad’s day tonfeel like a King. Celebrate Dad’s special day with dinner at Fisher’s! We are open from 1 pm to 7 pm, and reservations are strongly encouraged. Large parties are welcome! Reservations can be made by phone at 215-244-9777.
Fisher’s is a polished casual restaurant.

Monday, June 15, 2015

Technology
in Real Estate has come a long way in the last twenty years. From listing logs
to Zillow, from deed registry to online records searches, from coffee shops and
business cards to CRM’s mortgages, taxes, and insurance. The list goes on for
all the different effects technology has had.

What about your credit? Has technology had
an effect? People are more visible with social media and more likely to share
things like fitness, career changes, and relationship issues. But what about
credit, would you share your credit score on social media?A survey from the National Association of
Credit Counseling indicates that you would be more embarrassed to admit your
credit score (30%) than your weight (12%).

If you suspect your credit score is not
very good, then what can you do? That is one of the most common questions that
I get asked. Before you can begin, you must obtain a copy of your credit
report. Then you should consider the following:

1.Minimize negative effects – You
have to understand that your credit score is affected by the different actions
you take in your daily life. The least impact is maxing out your credit card
and the most would be declaring bankruptcy followed by a foreclosure. Consider
your options, when making important financial decisions and make sure you
choose actions that will not affect your credit score first.

2.Check your collection accounts
– these accounts are frequently bought and sold and the most updated
information may not be reported regularly to the credit bureau. Check these
accounts for accuracy, dispute any and all errors, and be aware when a balance
is showing up more than once. Fixing these errors can have a major impact, and
it will require patience and diligence on your part.

3.Check and update your public
records – these records can have a very negative effect on your credit score.
Verify the accuracy and challenge or protest any inaccuracies. These records
are not maintained as frequently and there may be outdate information that
needs to be removed.

4.Negotiate – If there are
outstanding balances in collections, then call the account representative and
try and negotiate a settlement. Remember that in order for this to work you
must pay, and they must remove the blemish from the reporting agencies. Keep in
mind that the agreement must work for you and you must have assurances that the
information is corrected on your credit report.

Finally, you will want to make sure that
you check the limits on your credit accounts and make sure they are accurate.
The longer you wait, the harder it will be. Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to
tell all your friends that you have excellent credit? What are you waiting for?
Get started now!

About Me

I am an extremely pro-active, tech savy, compulsively
responsive realtor.I make sure that the
buyers and sellers I work with, get whatever information they need, tomake fully informed, effective, real estate
decisions.

I am licensed in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

I grew up in Trenton, N.J., but my wife and I have lived in
Yardley, for over 35 years.We
absolutely love Bucks County, and all that it has to offer. Having lived here for so long, I certainly
know the area very well.

I have been a licensed realtor since 1995.

Since the start of my real estate career, I have been
recognized with numerous real estate awards, all of which are a testament to the commitment that I
make to those whom I represent. I have a well recognized and respected name in
Bucks County real estate and have been
the top producing Coldwell Banker sales agent in all of Pennsylvania as well as
being the top producing sales agent in
the network of Coldwell Banker Hearthside offices. I have been a member of the President’s
International Elite, in Coldwell Banker.I am frequently asked to speak about current issues in local real
estate, by various members of the press.

I invest in my business, and embrace the use of technology
to enhance the service that I provide to clients.I blog on a regular basis, on my highly
regarded blog site, at www.BucksCountyPaToday.com,
and also provide an mls type search from that site, as well as from www.The MillnerGroup.com and
www.SearchHomesInBucksCounty.com.

I have a GRI designation, which stands for Graduate of the
Realtor Institute, and I am also an e-PRO, which means that I am a certified
internet Professional.

I am also a published real estate author, having written,
“Buying or Selling Real Estate In Bucks County, Pennsylvania several years
ago.The book explains in detail, the
entire process of buying and selling real estate in Bucks County.Copies are still available.

In my life away from real estate, I play basketball several
times a week, and enjoy exercising in general.My wife and I enjoy all of the local flavor of Bucks County.We enjoy the variety of restaurants
throughout Bucks County, but especially in the Yardley-Newtown area.We enjoy the historic charm of the County,
and love all the seasonal events like
Harvest Day in Yardley, the Doylestown Arts Festival and Newtown’s Market
Day.There’s nothing quite like Fall hay
rides at places like Shady Brook Farm and skating on the pond in Yardley.

We take advantage of how close we are to major cities, like
Philadelphia and New York.Center City
Philadelphia is an easy 35 minute drive, in non-rush hour from Yardley, while
New York is a little over an hour by train, from nearby stations in New Jersey,
and we enjoy all that both of those great cities have to offer.

I love music, and
enjoy hearing local bands play.

Another passion of ours, is travel.Although we don’t get to go as often as we
would like, our favorite international destination is Italy.We have been to virtually every major tourist
area in Italy, and we always look forward to the chance to return, when
possible.I have been practicing with a
Rosetta Stone Italian program, for what seems like forever.

I believe passionately in the value of education.Fortunately,The public school systems in the Yardley-Newtown area are fabulous.Since I grew up in Trenton, and believe so
strongly in education, I have served on the board of the Trenton Public Education
Foundation.

I have served on a number of other community based
organizations, including Home Front.

In my real estate career, I have helped hundreds of buyers
and sellers.I have handled sales and
purchases of all types of properties, from small condominiums, to multi million
dollar estate homes.I have tools and
resources that allow me to effectively handle any type of home.The marketing plan I offer, is comprehensive,
pro-active and driven by the use of technology to enhance and ensure proper
exposure of all homes that I represent, to the widest possible audience.

I make sure that buyers understand all aspects of the
process of buying a home, and that they know and understand what is happening at every step in the
process.For both buyers and sellers, I
recognize that timely, effective and responsive communication, is critical to
the process of ensuring that all parties
are aware of what is going on, at all times.

I always enjoy representing first time home buyers.I derive great satisfaction in going through
the home buying process with first time home buyers, and watching as they
become educated consumers, after their initial apprehension.

Hopefully this gives you a brief incite into who I am, both
professionally and personally.I treat
all clients with the respect, dignity and care that they should expect.I know Bucks County extremely well, and
especially the Yardley, Newtown, Washington Crossing area.I welcome the opportunity to help with your
real estate needs.